BACKGROUND: The prevalence of sinuses' anatomic variations in the healthy pediatric population has not been studied. The study describes the prevalence of known anatomic variations with regard to gender and age in this population. METHODS: A single academic institute observational cohort study. A total of 200 head CT scans were reviewed, subdivided into five equal age subgroups (0-4.99; 5-7.99; 8-10.99; 11-13.99; 14-17 years), with an equal male to female ratio...

BACKGROUND: To date, there are numerous studies documenting the prevalence of frontal recess cells, but only 1 study using the newly developed International Frontal Sinus Anatomical Classification (IFAC) system. The identification of the frontal cells and their influence on the frontal drainage pathway plays an important role in endoscopic frontal sinus surgery. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to document the radiological prevalence of various types of frontal cells, as classified by IFAC and the most common frontal sinus drainage pathways based on its anatomic relationships with these cells...

Frontal-orbital-ethmoid mucocele is a slow-growing retention cyst of the fronto-ethmoid complex secondary to blockage of the sinus ostia. It may produce significant disfigurement of the periorbital region necessitating surgical intervention. Prior to surgery, it is imperative to study the mucocele's extent through the variable patterns of ethmoid pneumatization as evident from clinical, imaging (computed tomogram) and endoscopic evaluation. This is illustrated in a case study of a 41-year-old woman presenting with fullness below the right eyebrow, progressive proptosis, and gaze restriction...

Confirming a thorough dissection of the frontal sinus during endoscopic sinus surgery can be challenging, and some surgeons would benefit from reliable topographic landmark identification to ensure completion of this sinus dissection. We defined (1) the "horizon sign" as the curvilinear shadow of the posterior table cast superiorly upon the anterior table of the frontal sinus at the acute angle of their meeting point and (2) the "frontal bar" as a sagittal septation at the union of the anterior/posterior tables...

BACKGROUND: We report a novel surgical technique based on an endonasal free mucosal graft (mucoplasty) for improving clinical results and local healing in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). METHODS: Patients diagnosed with bilateral CRSwNP scheduled for endoscopic sinus surgery were included. They underwent complete removal of anterior and posterior ethmoid cells, in addition to bilateral type III frontal sinusotomy. An endoscopic mucoplasty was performed in the left nasal cavity, whereas the right nasal cavity served as control...

BACKGROUND: The Relative Value Scale Update Committee, commonly known as the RUC, is responsible for defining the value of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. The RUC process uses survey responses reporting operative times to determine procedure reimbursement, but it is limited by low response rates, small sample sizes, and unclear generalizability of the results. By comparing actual reported intraoperative times to the times determined by the RUC process, in this study we sought to assess the performance of RUC methodology in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS)...

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of frontal sinus pneumatization on various variations of paranasal sinuses on maxillofacial CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total number of 120 patients (62 females, 58 males) were included in this study. Patients were divided into three groups regarding their frontal sinus pneumatization extent on paranasal sinus CT as Type 1 pneumatization (aplasia and hypoplasia), Type 2 pneumatization (medium) and Type 3 pneumatization (hyperplasia)...

OBJECTIVES: Pott's puffy tumor (PTT) is a frontal subperiosteal abscess associated with underlying frontal osteomyelitis. The purpose of the present study was to assess the rate of intracranial involvement in pediatric and adolescent patients with PPT and to discuss the diagnostic workup and the therapeutic features of this pathology. METHODS: We searched Web of Science, PubMed and MEDLINE from 1998 to 2018. The search focused on papers concerning the diagnostic procedure and therapeutic management of PTT...

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated a high failure rate of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) with Draf IIa in patients with diffuse polyposis, asthma, and aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease. A high percentage of these patients progress to endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure (EMLP). We describe a modification of the Draf IIb with a superior septectomy (IIb+SS), which may provide similar therapeutic benefit as demonstrated by the distribution of sinus irrigations in the sinus cavity with ESS with IIb+SS vs ESS with EMLP IIb+SS vs ESS with EMLP...

OBJECTIVE: In the last years endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is improved with the introduction of computer assisted navigation (CAN). In this retrospective study we evaluated the usefulness of CAN in endoscopic sinus surgery and studied its advantages over conventional endoscopic sinus surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 96 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). 48 patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery with surgical navigation (A group) and other 48 without navigation (B group)...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of the review is to evaluate the current indications and contraindications for balloon sinuplasty and review the clinical trials performed in this area. RECENT FINDINGS: The indications for balloon sinus dilatation are somewhat similar to those for endoscopic sinus surgery. Balloon sinus ostial dilation (BSD) has been found to be most effective in the treatment of recurrent acute sinusitis (RARS) and chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis (CRSsNP) that has been refractory to medical therapy...

Objectives: Frontal sinus anatomy is complex, and multiple variations of ethmoid pneumatization have been described that affect the frontal outflow tract. In addition, the lumen proper of the frontal sinus may exist as 2 separate parallel cavities that share an ipsilateral outflow tract. This variant has not been previously described and may have implications for surgical management. Study Design: Case series. Setting: Tertiary rhinology practice...

Pott's puffy tumor (PPT) is a rare, life-threatening complication of frontal sinusitis that is treated with a combination of appropriate antibiotics and surgery for the removal of infected tissue. A 56-year-old man with recurrent forehead swelling was admitted and diagnosed with recurrent PPT. He had undergone endoscopic sinus surgery and pericranial abscess drainage. We planned to remove the infected tissue and bones and perform reconstruction with an anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap. Eight weeks after surgery, the patient showed no inflammation, and the antibiotics were discontinued...

INTRODUCTION: We report a rare case in which a pituitary tumor co-occurred with a giant mucocele. The mucocele's computed tomography(CT)values fell markedly when it collapsed, and we report the associated considerations. CASE: This case involved a 42-year-old male patient. For 20 years, his visual acuity had progressively declined, and it suddenly rapidly worsened over a month. Cranial CT revealed a massive tumor in the sphenoid sinus and a pituitary tumor. A region of high absorption extended from the paranasal sinus to the skull base...

BACKGROUND: Bioabsorbable steroid-releasing implants (mometasone furoate, 370 μg) are effective for improving postsurgical outcomes in the frontal sinus ostia (FSO). In this study we evaluated the effect of these implants on frontal outcomes in various patient subgroups with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) using pooled data from 2 randomized, controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: A total of 160 subjects were enrolled in 2 RCTs. After surgery, subjects were randomized to receive an implant in 1 FSO with the contralateral side as control...

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) affects up to 16% of the population. When medical treatment fails, endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is considered. The value of resecting the middle turbinate to optimize surgical outcomes has been hypothesized but remains controversial and unproven. Whether the middle turbinate should be left in place or resected is controversial. Our objective is to determine if middle turbinectomy improves objective surgical outcomes after ESS. METHODS: Sixteen patients (15 men, 15 primary surgery) undergoing bilateral complete ESS for CRS with nasal polyposis were recruited...

INTRODUCTION: Intracranial complications of acute rhinosinusitis are rare, but may turn life-threatening. CASE SUMMARY: We report a healthy 30-year-old male who complained of frontal headache, which developed while on a plane. A brain CT showed a low-density lesion on the left frontal convexity with right maxillary and ethmoid sinusitis. Despite receiving intravenous antibiotics, a follow-up brain CT showed two lesions with adjacent dural and leptomeningeal enhancement...